Having parents that remember Pearl Harbor as a day that changed their lives forever, I cannot let it go by unremembered. It is to them what September 11th is to me. And there are so many similarities....althought it was the Japanese who attacked, we had to join the fight in both the Pacific and the European fronts to guarantee the peace and safety of our homeland. (Read a fabulous essay about the similarities here) There are differences too....back then, everyone supported the troops and made personal sacrifices in their daily lives to help them. My parents still have their ration books with coupons for flour and sugar still there. My mom remembers everyone in the neighborhood pooling their sugar rations to make a birthday cake when it was someone's birthday. Would we do that today? I don't even know half my neighbors. My dad joined the Navy at 17, when he had never been out of his hometown of 1,200 people. He still remembers the sights and smells of San Francisco as he shipped out, as it made such an impression on him. He also remembers the Sunday dinner at a stranger's house before he left....the invitation extended to him based on his uniform alone, and the fact that he had worshipped in their church that morning. Would someone feed him in their home like that today?

There is a reason they are called The Greatest Generation. If only we could learn from them and emulate them in the similarly perilous days we find ourselves in now.

2 comments:

I asked my children if any of their teachers mentioned the historical significance of today. Not one teacher said anything about Pearl Harbor, etc. I think that's really sad that this day is one of the most important days in our country's history, and not one of my 3 children's Friendswood ISD teachers said a word. My grandfather had a major role in WWII when he stormed Normandy. I made sure that my children knew. I wish our district felt as passionate as I do. Not only did we discuss the bombings, we discussed Hitler, Saddam, Osama, and many other issues. It makes me wonder what is important in the district's eyes.

Now that is just sad. How can they not teach such a significant day in our nation's history? Of course, I shouldn't be surprised I guess, since there's at least one school district banning the Declaration of Independence....but still. Not in Texas, and certainly not in Friendswood. No wonder people choose to homeschool! And FISD just won the most prestigious award possible from the state.....